SEATTLE -- With the down economy and bad weather many local retailers are really hurting. So you might expect them to toughen up their return policies. But at many big-name stores, just the opposite is happening.

What you'll encounter will vary from store to store, but many national retailers like Sears, Macy's and Circuit City have made it easier to bring back the gifts you don't want.

They've extended the holiday return period, reduced restocking fees or are being more flexible with people who don't have receipts.

They're hoping the changes will help build customer loyalty.

Sears normally offers a 90-day return policy on most items. But this year you have 120 days for purchases made from November 1 to December 23.

The 30-day return policy for electronics, software and mattresses has also been extended on holiday purchases to 90 days.

According to a survey by the Web site consumerworld.org, a few stores are bucking the trend. Best Buy shortened its holiday return period for most items to January21 -- a week earlier than last year.

And it greatly reduced the holiday return window fro computers. Last year it was January 31. Now it's 14 days from the date of purchase. For most customers who bought a computer on black Friday to give as a Christmas or Hanukkah present, the return period has already expired.

Best Buy says last year's relaxed return policy for computers was just a test.

Super shopper Edgar Dworsky says before you walk up to the return counter, make sure you know the store's return policy.

"If you're asking for something that really isn't covered by the rules and actually may be explicitly against the rules, you're asking for an accommodation," he said.

"You've got to be much nicer. What job could be worse than working at the return desk the day after Christmas? Being nice may ultimately get you further than being demanding."

For many items you need to think about whether you intend to take it back before you even remove it from the package. This is especially important for electronics.

In most cases you'll pay a restocking fee of ten to 15 percent of the purchase price. For a $300 digital camera you'd pay as much as $45 just to bring it back.

So if you open the wrapping paper and it's an electronic gift, make sure it's something you'll want to keep before opening the box.

For More Information:

2008 Holiday Return Policies